A Reason To Stay

They were just going to meet for drinks, a way to actually connect in person instead of only in cyberspace, but after indulging in a bottle of finely aged bourbon, their subtle hints of flirtation gave way to full blown lust. The taxi ride back to his apartment had been an exercise in pushing the boundaries of public displays of affection. They were lying in bed, rain drops battering the window, the sheen of sexual satisfaction illuminating the room.

"How long are you staying?"

She lifted her head off his chest and gave him a mock frown.

"Throwing me out all ready? Typical; have your way with a woman and then send her off into the storm."

He smiled and playfully pulled a curl from her hair. The carpet didn't match the drapes, but that wasn't important.

"I meant how long are you planning to stay in town? How long is your lease on your apartment?"

She rolled on her back, letting her hand drape possessively around his thigh. Where was this conversation going? She kept staring at the ceiling.

He was starting to feel uncomfortable with her silence. He wasn't asking for a commitment, just wanted to know how emotionally involved he should get. She said she was only here for a year. Why open himself up to heart ache?

They lay in silence, listening to the rain pounding on the glass. Finally she sat up in bed and looked straight at him.

"Do I have a reason to stay longer?"

Now it was his turn to stare at the ceiling.

"I don't know. Do you?"

She sat next to him, then got up and started to dress. He sat up against the back board.

"You don't have to go. The weather's lousy; stay the night."

She finished getting dressed, then turned towards him. A sad smile flashed across her face.

"Not yet. Not until I have a reason to stay longer."